There were two times in David’s life when he was forced to escape from Jerusalem into the wilderness. The first was before he was king when Saul became jealous of him and decided to kill him. (1 Samuel 11-21).
The second time this happened was later in his life after having been king for about thirty years. His son, Absalom revolted declaring himself king, forming an army to try to kill him. (2 Samuel 15)
There is some debate about which of these two times in David’s life Psalm 63 is referencing. Seems pretty obvious to me that it is after David is king since he refers to himself as “king” in verse 11. He would never have done that when Saul was alive. Either way it was a painfully distressful time but David was devoted to God’s presence, even in the wilderness.
Psalms 63:1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. ESV
There is a longing and thirsting for God that actually exists in every single one of us. Purposing to pursue God’s presence in a wilderness season awakens this appetite in a special way. God promises to be near the brokenhearted! (Psalms 34:18)
Psalms 63:2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. ESV
This is pointing to the importance of worship together as God’s people. When you understand the essence of worship as the genuine savoring of God, in times of feasting or famine, good times or bad, you can't treat it casually any longer. It becomes the very centerpiece of life. We are God’s family. God promises to be here in a special way when we gather. We find tremendous strength from each other in times of adversity and this is spiritual nourishment in and of itself.
Psalms 63:3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. ESV
David says that there is nothing better in life than God’s love.
In this life you will never be content. You were born for something more. The best moment this world has to offer is still just a moment and you have eternity in your heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
The Today Show did a segment where they helped people live out their dreams. People were going to exotic locations having amazing experiences. But when you come back home you still have to decide what you’re going to do with your life. Once you accomplish the thrill of achieving a dream you wake up the next morning realizing the void in your life still isn’t filled. Until you experience God’s love in your life then your life is lacking no matter what your other experiences may be.
Even in the midst of this world’s disappointments we can still have the meaningful experience of God’s presence in the wilderness taking us deeper in his love.
We need to draw near to God and nurture a thirst for God. It is interesting that David said what Jesus commanded: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Jesus also said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37).
Psalms 63:4-7 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. ESV
Be determined to focus on God! “I will meditate on you in the watches of the night!” During the wilderness times, what are you meditating on? When you feel frustrated and even distant from God at times, the enemy will try to take advantage of these vulnerable moments and get you to meditate on things “in the watches of your nights” that will leave you feeling even more dry and more distant.
Rick Warren speaks of the ability to worry is the ability to meditate. It exists within you but Christian meditation is moves the idea of “clearing the mind to achieve perfect nothingness” to clearing the mind to make room for God.
Psalms 63:8-11 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. 9 But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; 10 they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. 11 But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped. ESV
Coupled with our cry for rescue comes a confidence in God's help and salvation. You can and you should expect God to uphold you with his right hand!
GP2RL: Reflect on seeking refuge and trusting God in His presence this week as you read Psalms chapters 76-90.
PSALMS: In His Presence
DISCUSSION GUIDE
UNDERSTANDING THE SEASON: Psalms unveils the authenticity of humanity in the, sometimes painful, but always beautiful pursuit of God. The beauty is that God never wastes a single hurt if we are willing to give it to Him.
We can judge God according to our circumstances or we can judge our circumstances according to our God. God is good even in our times of pain and desperation. We live in a fallen world, but we look to a Risen King.
Two thirds of the Psalms are what scholars call lament. So often, our greatest purpose is born from our deepest pain. May we press in and go deeper in our authentic pursuit of the heart of God as we explore the treasures of Psalms.
It is a good thing to hear what God is revealing in the hearts of those around us. Feel free to use this question however you feel it fits in your time together as a group.
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
1. Where are you reading in your Bible and what are you sensing from God?
Seeking refuge and trusting God in His presence.
In Psalms 63 we find David running for his life. The disappointment of the situation is coupled with the confusion of his own son wanting to kill him. If God was for him how could this be taking place? Yet David’s response is to put his hope and trust in God deepening his communion with God in adversity.
Psalms 63:1-8 O God, You are my God; with deepest longing I will seek You; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water… 3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. 4 So will I bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name…6 When I remember You on my bed, I meditate and thoughtfully focus on You in the night watches, 7 For You have been my help, And in the shadow of Your wings [where I am always protected] I sing for joy. 8 My soul [my life, my very self] clings to You; Your right hand upholds me… AMP
2. What are some common obstacles or doubts that people encounter when trying to trust God during difficult times?
3. Reflect on a specific Bible story or verse that illustrates trusting God during adversity. How does this story/verse resonate with you in your own experience?
4. David describes experiencing God’s presence as better than life itself (verse 3). How does this perspective challenge our priorities and values?
5. Read Psalms 63 again asking each person to share one thing that stands out to them from the reading.
Everywhere we go, we bring...
GP2RL: Reflect on seeking refuge and trusting God in His presence this week as you read Psalms chapters 76-90.